News & Events

President’s Award for Ambassador Charles A. Gargano ’55

Ambassador Charles A. Gargano ‘55, chairman
of Empire State Development and vice chairman of the Port Authority
of New York & New Jersey, was presented with the President’s
Award by City Tech President Fred W. Beaufait in a private ceremony
on May 12. Dr. Jerome H. Blue, the College’s interim vice
president for research, governmental and corporate relations, and
Advertising Design & Graphic Arts Professor Robert Holden participated
in the ceremony, which was held at the ambassador’s Manhattan
office.

“As chairman of Empire State Development
and vice chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey,
Ambassador Gargano’s contributions to the economic well being
of the state and region are incalculable,” said President
Fred Beaufait in a statement accompanying presentation of the award.

Ambassador Gargano delivered the keynote address
at the College’s 2004 Job Expo in April, in which he painted
a promising employment picture for City Tech graduates and other
New Yorkers as a result of the ongoing economic recovery. More than
700 students, faculty, alumni, community leaders and other guests
were on hand for the ambassador’s video presentation. The
Job Expo is an annual event coordinated by the College’s Placement
Office, Student Government Association and Office of Research, Governmental
& Corporate Relations.

The ambassador’s distinguished career in
public service began in 1981, when he was named deputy administrator
of the Federal Urban Mass Transportation Administration by President
Ronald Reagan. In 1988, he was appointed ambassador to the Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago by President Reagan and later re-appointed
by President Bush in 1989. He currently serves on the U.S. Department
of Commerce’s Tourism Advisory Board.

A graduate of City Tech’s civil engineering
technology program, his public service followed a successful career
as an engineer and principal at J.D. Posillico Engineering and Construction,
one of Long Island’s largest heavy construction firms. He
has served as regional director of the Association of General Contractors
in America and as chairman of the New York State Society of Professional
Engineers in Construction. Ambassador Gargano is also chairman of
the board and a past president of the Columbus Citizens Foundation.